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What Causes Inability To Move The Tongue To One Side In Child?
Question: My almost 2 year old (in 2 weeks) only sticks his tongue out to the left side and straight. I cannot get him to stick it out to the right. He can definitely seem to stick it out straight, though he doesn't do it very far. He does the pointy cute tongue thing to the left. I have tried to make it a game, but he won't do the right side. I took him to doctor about this a few months ago, and pediatrician said if he can stick it out straight at all then there is not a neurological problem (I am concerned about brain tumors - I have OCD). He has no other symptoms. Good balance, no headaches, goo d natured, language development. Please advice regarding my concern. His 2 year check up is on Sept 2. He turns 2 on August 12.
Brief Answer:
Tongue
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.
Though I don't believe for a moment that your son has a brain tumor, I believe the possibility exists that there may be something not right with his neurological system. That doesn't mean there is definitely something wrong. Just that the possibility exists. I'd feel more comfortable if you got the opinion of a pediatric neurologist. Perhaps at you 2 year checkup, you can ask your doctor for a referral to a good pediatric neurologist. Then we can know for sure.
Tongue
Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.
Though I don't believe for a moment that your son has a brain tumor, I believe the possibility exists that there may be something not right with his neurological system. That doesn't mean there is definitely something wrong. Just that the possibility exists. I'd feel more comfortable if you got the opinion of a pediatric neurologist. Perhaps at you 2 year checkup, you can ask your doctor for a referral to a good pediatric neurologist. Then we can know for sure.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He was born with tortocolis. Could this contribute? What's in your differential?
Brief Answer:
Follow Up
Detailed Answer:
Sometimes an inability to move the tongue to one side could indicate a problem on the other side. Perhaps (and I'm just speculating), if he had a torticolis to one side, he could theoretically have impinged a nerve controlling tongue movement, preventing movement to one side. A neurologist would be better equipped to make that determination.
Follow Up
Detailed Answer:
Sometimes an inability to move the tongue to one side could indicate a problem on the other side. Perhaps (and I'm just speculating), if he had a torticolis to one side, he could theoretically have impinged a nerve controlling tongue movement, preventing movement to one side. A neurologist would be better equipped to make that determination.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok. Sorta freaking out now. Differential please?
Brief Answer:
Follow Up
Detailed Answer:
Definitely not worth freaking out over. As long as he is thriving and reaching his milestones, he is fine.
Follow Up
Detailed Answer:
Definitely not worth freaking out over. As long as he is thriving and reaching his milestones, he is fine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So brain tumor wouldn't present this way? Again, he can put it straight. Pediatrician said there would be other symptoms - not just tongue and straight ability ruled out tumor. Your opinion? In other words it doesn't come out of his mouth crooked and he never bites his tongue. Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Correct. Tumor does not present this way.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Correct. Tumor does not present this way.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. That helps. I have made an appointment with a pediatric neurologist as a follow up, but the appointment is one month away.
He has no other health issues but is throwing some pretty good fits - which of course also had me concerned but I think I will look at the fact that he is 2 in 9 days as the potential culprit. The fits are generally in response to not getting what he wants.
How would the tongue be related to a tumor?
He has no other health issues but is throwing some pretty good fits - which of course also had me concerned but I think I will look at the fact that he is 2 in 9 days as the potential culprit. The fits are generally in response to not getting what he wants.
How would the tongue be related to a tumor?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Though I do not believe this will turn out to be a tumor, theoretically, anything that would put pressure on the nerve that controls tongue movement could cause this.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Though I do not believe this will turn out to be a tumor, theoretically, anything that would put pressure on the nerve that controls tongue movement could cause this.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Now I am really scared.
What else could be causing his preference to put his tongue to the left only?
What else could be causing his preference to put his tongue to the left only?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I haven't examined him. Your doctor did and said there is nothing to worry about. I accept his opinion.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I haven't examined him. Your doctor did and said there is nothing to worry about. I accept his opinion.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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